VSCPA Letter on California Mobility Legislation

The Honorable Roger Niello, CPA
California State Assembly
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: AB 2473 (Niello, Ma) Support

Dear Assembly Member Niello,

On behalf of the 8,300 members of the Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA), we are writing to convey our support of AB 2473 (Niello, Ma).  This legislation is vital to both the CPA profession and our business clients. California is a vibrant participant in the international economy, and we have many CPAs in Virginia who have clients and business interactions in California on a daily basis.

Because the new speed of commerce does not revere state or even international boundaries, our members are able to have clients with business interests in virtually every state and many countries. The public uses CPAs as trusted advisors to manage issues related to financial interests.

Your legislation would help the public at large by eliminating the barriers that currently keep California CPAs from being considered equivalent to those in other states. It would also remove barriers that face out-of-state CPAs representing their own clients’ business interests in California.

The CPA profession operates under national professional standards and uses a rigorous nationally standard entrance exam. California can rely on the quality and consistency of CPAs across state lines, as well as the quality of regulators overseeing the profession nationwide.

In 1999, Virginia was a pioneer in practice mobility by passing sections of the Uniform Accountancy Act that enabled the CPA profession to thrive and best serve Virginia’s citizens. Virginia is currently rated the No. 1 state to do business by Forbes.com, and we believe this is due, in part, to a robust and mobile CPA community. CPA regulators in the majority of states are now showing commitment to enact similar provisions to Virginia’s in their state laws. We believe this approach will assist business and continue consumer protection.

Thank you for introducing AB 2473. I have included a copy of the VSCPA’s statement on mobility for your use in advocating for this important legislation. If there is anything additional we can do to assist you, please feel free to contact us. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or VSCPA Government Affairs Director Erin Collins at (800) 733-8272. Thank you again for your consideration.


Sincerely,


Monique T. Valentine, Chair of the Board


cc:     Leadership, California State Assembly & Senate
         CalCPA
         California Board of Accountancy


Encl.